The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-05
.rHE KING OF CoUNTERFEITERs."
Career of Tom Ballard, Whom Presiden
Cleveland Has just Pardoned.

Albany. N. Y. Special.
Prior to the date of which mention is made
(1S75l. Ballard the most daring and
cessful couuterfeiter in the United States any
other country. Born in Poughkeepsie. n. Y.
thirty years before he was one of five brothers,
who all engaged in that dangerous and nefarious
business. For several years prior to 1879 coun-
terfets made their appearance which SO
cleverly executed to almost wholly defy de-
lection. Skfully- executed $500 and $50 treas
ury notes at last made their appearance, and the
Secret service Bureau at Washington put forth
its whole resources to hunt out and capture the
counterfeiter who did the work. Colonel Whit
leys suspicion was directed toward the Billiards.,
but we'll were their operations concealed that
nothing tangible could be obtained against them.
1t was known that Tom was an engraver of more
than ordinary skill, and that the counterfeits
We're executed by man of extraordinary skill
and fertile in resources.
When similarly well executed counterfelts sue
cessfully appeared on the First National Bank
of Elmra. Farmers and Manufacturers Ma
tional Bank Of Buffalo, the Syracuse and the
Watkins National Bank, they were traced to the
Ballard gaIg by the arrest of John Ballard. with
some of the notes in his possession. He would
say nothing; the officers. inferring that the
counterfeits were the work of Tom, bent their
energies toward securing clew to his where
abouts. This not easy task. He was
supposed to live in New York, but was not to be
found there. His wife found. however and
a careful shadowing OF her movements and of
her sending of letters, at length enabled them to
locate their quarry in Buffalo The officers Sc
lecred TO make the arrest were Gilbert II. Pork
ins and Daniel S REYNOLDS.
Proceeding to Buffalo, they secured Detective
Curtin of that city to assist them in finding out
in just what part of Buffalo Ballard stop
ping 1t soon ascertained that the youngest
brother, George was living an isolated house
on Ferry street, and this Swallowed for
eral days until it was determined that the man
they were after was in the house. Three other
officers impressed into service, the house
was surrounded, and Curtin and the secret-serv-
ice men, bursting in. caught Ballard dead to
rights" he himself expressed it afterward.
He made desperate resistance but was speed
lily overpowered and secured. Two women found
there were also taken into custody. They were
Ballsrd's aunt. Ann Adams. and Julia Ann Eliza
beth Ballard, the wife of his elder brother john
When the officers had chance to look about
them, even they were surprised at what they
saw. There were plates, batteries, retorts.
chemicals and everything, in fact. that would
make up complete counterfeiting outfit. The
brothers of Tom had been engaged in the manu-
facture of base gold and silver coin, while Toms
ambition scared higher. His skill directed
to the counterfeting of bank-note plates. When
arrested he in the act of perfecting plate
from which were to be struck off counterfeit $40
bills on the North American Bank of Montreal.
It was perfect fac-simile He admitted that it
was the best plate he had ever made. and that
had he not been Interfered with Canada would
have been flooded with counterfeit bills which
could not have been detected from the genuine.
number of plates were captured, and all the
apparatus taken possession of by the officers.
The prisoners were removed to the Cayuga county
Jail, from which Ballard escaped Dec. 49, 1874,
scarcely two weeks after his capture. he was
recaptured. however, the following Monday,
Homer. CORTLAND county, forty miles from
Auburn. by Sheriff Chas. V. Hopkins When
caught he sending dispatch to his wife in
the name of Thomas Martin
On Friday. Jan. Is, 1875. Sheriff Hopkins dis
covered that Tom making preparations for
another escape. 1t was found that he had mi de
a key to unlock the door leading into tho attic,
another unlock his shackles while the patent
brake which secured the cell doors his tier
was sawn almost through. Behind the attic
door a rope made of sheets to lower himself
to the ground. 1t was determined dispose OF
his speedily possible and the fol-
lowing Tuesday be was brought to this city. and,
the United States Court converting, his case
presented to the grand jury, who promptly in
dlcted him, and Wednesday afternoon his
trial commenced.
John Bolts. of Buffalo. and John M. Nelson.
of this city, were assigned to defend him. and
Hon. Richard Crowley was the prosecuting at
torney. He was promptly convicted and Justice
Wallace sentenced him to five years each of
three counts, and fifteen years the fourth
count, making thirty years in all
He made proposition to the court that If
immunity. was shown him he would impart his
paper which IL would be impossible to counter
felt, and also a secret for coloring such paper.
HIS offer not entertained. and the next
morning he was conveyed to the penIteDtiary.
His sister-in law was convicted the following
day for counterfeiting. and was sentenced to the
Carandaigua penitentiary for five years His aunt
was released account of her age. being
seventy years. His brothers escaped from the
country with one exception, John. who was
rested in Eastern state for passing counter
felt money and sent to prison.
Billiards. wife is still living in New York. The
pardon was brought about by Mr.. Jonas II.
Brooks and other prominent citizens who, be-
lleving that Billiards. sentence was excessive.
and that mis- punishment has been sufficient,
made strenuous efforts in his behalf.